Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow sustained bruises to his chest and right, non-throwing shoulder, as well as a torn rib cartilage during the third quarter of Saturday night’s playoff game at New England, an NFL source said Wednesday.

Had the Broncos defeated the Patriots, Tebow in all likelihood would not have been able to play in the AFC championship game this week.

And, if Tebow is selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team as a second alternate, he is not likely to be able to play due to the injuries.

Tebow also had bruising around his lung, but no surgery is required and Tebow is expected to make a full recovery and participate in the team’s conditioning workouts beginning April 16.

Early in the third quarter of the Broncos’ 45-10 loss to the Patriots, Tebow was crushed by a Patriot sandwich of Vince Wilfork and Rob Ninkovich.

After the game, Tebow wore an ice pack on his non-throwing shoulder.

Broncos coach John Fox nearly pulled Tebow out of the Patriots game in the third quarter when he was shaken up, and had backup Brady Quinn½‹ warming up. But, Tebow stayed in the game and played through the pain.

Asked later why he stayed in the game, Tebow said, “Sometimes you get hit. Sometimes it can hurt a little bit. But, I wanted to play that game.”

Tebow has been receiving treatment at the Broncos’ facility this week. He was moving without any noticeable pain Tuesday at Dove Valley.